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Don Davis

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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.

Minnesota Vikings football season ticket holders will contribute $100 million toward a new stadium by purchasing seat licenses and team owners will pay the same amount from their own pockets under an agreement signed Thursday night.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon is going above and beyond: above her Capitol office and beyond what others in her job have done. Prettner Solon announced Thursday that she will skydive with the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team on Tuesday to show support for military personnel. "The men and women of our armed forces put their lives in danger every day in defense of our freedom and our way of life," Prettner Solon said. "As Minnesotans, we owe military service members and their families our sincere gratitude and constant support.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota Republicans gather in St. Cloud this morning, with the official main event picking a candidate to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. But the main undercurrent may be how Ron Paul supporters do at the Friday and Saturday state convention. How strong presidential candidate Paul is among delegates likely will affect the Senate race. Estimates of the number of Minnesota Paul delegates range from a third to nearly a half of the 2,000-some Republicans at the River's Edge Convention Center. "Ron Paul is a big factor in this race," Minnesota U.S.

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Vikings are close to a new stadium after the House early Thursday approved a construction plan 71-60. Representatives debated the stadium bill an hour and 50 minutes after day-long negotiations produced a compromise bill after the House and Senate passed differing versions. Soon after passing the stadium bill, the House adjourned for the year before 4 a.m. today. Senators expect to take up the bill later today before adjourning until 2013. If they pass it, Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to sign the bill.

ST. PAUL -- A debate a decade in the making began this afternoon as the state House considered whether to build a nearly $1 billion Vikings stadium. "This is our one chance," Rep. John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove, said. "This bill works. It has been fined tuned and it will build a stadium." Rep.